Charles E. Johnson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Charles E. Johnson (853722), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as a squad leader with Company G, Third Battalion, Twenty-Ninth Marines, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 6 June 1945. Taking charge of the situation after his platoon leader and a number of his comrades had become casualties during an attack on a strongly defended enemy position, Private First Class Johnson reorganized the platoon which was being held up by heavy hostile machine-gun fire. Then, aggressively leading the final assault on the objective, he personally charged two enemy machine guns with a rocket launcher and, firing at point-blank range, destroyed both of the guns and their crews. After his platoon had occupied the hill, Private First Class Johnson courageously exposed himself to hostile fire to assist in sealing three cave positions from which the Japanese had been holding up the advance of adjacent Marine units. His gallant fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Charles E. Johnson (7778277), Hospital Corpsman Third Class, U.S. Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Hospital Corpsman Third Class Johnson distinguished himself by intrepid actions on 23 August 1967 while serving as a Corpsman attached to Company G, Second Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division. His unquestionable valor in close combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.